Tutorial

1. Setting Up The Photo

First, we create the base photograph. Use the Rectangle Tool to draw a rectangle with (more or less) the proportions of a standard 4R print, (in our example, 161 x 200px) then fill it with a gradient going across the diagonal, from dirty white to pure white. This will serve as your base rectangle.



Figure 1: Base photograph

Follow it up with another rectangle (in our example, 151 x 190px), this time with a solid color, slightly smaller than and centered on top of the base rectangle. This will serve as your image mask, and creates a nice "white border" around the image. Nobody likes fingerprints on their glossies, you know.



Figure 2: Base photograph

2. Next, import your image (Ctrl+R) or File > Import into the current document, set the mask opacity to 30% to make it easier for you to fit and align your image over the mask. Place the photo you want inside the mask under the mask. Make sure that your image subject is properly cropped inside the mask, and that no part of the mask is "peeking" outside the image.



Figure 3: Base photograph

Tip: Before transforming an imported image, convert it first into a symbol (F8) to retain the original image information that you normally lose when resizing or rotating an image as is.

3. The masking techniques: Paste as Mask vs Paste Inside

Once you are satisfied with the adjustments, bring the mask´s opacity back to 100% and then cut the mask to the clipboard (Edit > Cut) or (Ctrl+X) then select the photograph and Modify > Mask > Paste as Mask.

Alternatively, you can opt for the Paste Inside technique. Place your photo under your mask, then select the photo cut it to the clipboard Edit > Cut and paste your image inside of it (Ctrl+Shift+V).

Finally, place your masked image in the middle of your base rectangle filled with a gradient. Now you have a complete base photograph! Give yourself half-a-pat on the back.



Figure 4: Base photograph

Paste inside is different from Paste as Mask which is different from Mask Group, etc, so don´t use Paste Inside method unless you want stroke and fill displayed. Since I seldom want stroke and fill displayed, I generally use the Paste as Mask method, cutting the mask object, selecting the image element and choosing Modify > Mask >Paste as Mask.

Editing the mask.If you have opted for the Paste Inside masking method, to avoid to see pixels from the mask when it is rotated, edit the Mask by selecting the Mask in the Layers, then select Edit in the menu (right hand corner of the layer). Check now the Properties and uncheck the "Show Fill and Stroke".



Figure 5: Base photograph